Diabetes and Your Hands

Did you know that diabetes can hurt, stiffen, and even disable your shoulders, wrists, fingers, and other joints? None of these conditions is well understood. So how can you prevent them and deal with them?

Of course, people without diabetes can have joint issues, but having diabetes raises your risk. All of these conditions seem to be related to thickening or stiffening of connective tissues — the ligaments and tendons that hold our bodies together. These tissues are mostly made of collagen, a protein that should have some give and flow to it, like a soft rubber ball. When collagen stiffens, joints start to hurt and don’t work as well.

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Here are four of the more well known diabetes-related joint conditions:

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition in which the range of motion of the shoulder joint is severely restricted. According to the American Diabetes Association, it affects 20% of people with diabetes and 5% of the general population. It usually starts with shoulder pain and inflammation and can progress to stiffness and near-complete immobility. Then it starts to resolve, and is usually gone within two years, especially with treatment.

Diabetic stiff hand syndrome is a painless disorder caused by an increase in collagen in and just below the skin. It can sharply limit hand function.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a painful condition caused by pressure on the median nerve, which passes into the hand through a narrow “tunnel.” If this tunnel is squeezed by thickening of ligaments or other structures, severe pain can result. CTS is often associated with typing or other repetitive work that keep wrists in unnatural positions.

Trigger finger is a condition where one or more fingers curl up and are difficult to straighten. The tendons that bend and straighten fingers “catch” and then may suddenly “click” open again. Trigger finger can be painful and is usually worse in the morning. Repetitive gripping motions can bring it on or make it worse.

All of these conditions involve some combination of inflammation and stiffening. So what does diabetes have to do with it? Some think that high blood glucose changes the balance of proteins, stiffening the collagen. Or perhaps some other inflammatory process contributes to the diabetes and the joint disease. But either way, what are some strategies for preventing dealing with these conditions?

Prevention and Treatment
One thing all joint experts agree on is that prevention of these conditions is easier than treatment. Fortunately, there are things we can do for our joints at any state of health.

Stretching. Joint stiffness is a vicious cycle. A part hurts, so you don’t move it. So it stiffens up and hurts more, and you use it even less. It’s important to break that cycle by moving the joint, even if it hurts a bit (but not severely). “Inflammation should be taken into consideration…, but unless the shoulder is severely inflamed, you would want physical therapy” says Michael Mueller, PT, PhD, about frozen shoulder. You might want to apply heat to loosen a joint before stretching.

Orthopedists at the University of Oklahoma created this illustrated guide to stretches for carpal tunnel.

Trigger finger stretching is mostly a question of pulling the finger into a straight position and holding it. See a video about it here.

Heat and cold applications. According to MedicineNet, heat relaxes stiff tendons, while cold reduces pain and swelling. You might want to alternate them or explore to see which works better for you.

Pain medicines. If needed, anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen can help. Sometimes you need to take those to be able to stretch.

Massage.The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that “massage has been shown to calm pain and spasm by helping muscles relax, by bringing in a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood, and by flushing the area of chemical irritants that come from inflammation.” Massage should probably be avoided when joints are hot, swollen, or tender to touch.

Avoid straining.Bruce Anderson, MD, writes that “You should limit overhead positioning, reaching, and lifting. These restrictions can be eased as pain decreases and flexibility increases.”

Physical therapy. Therapists have an amazing variety of equipment and knowledge to help stiff and painful joints. These include ultrasound, fluid therapy, paraffin treatments, and many others.

Splinting (for trigger finger). If you wake with curled fingers, you might try sleeping in finger splints to keep them straighter.

I strongly advise adding joint care to your self-management routine. If a shoulder, wrist, fingers, or ankles are becoming stiff and/or painful, do some gentle self-massage and apply heat once in a while. Give yourself some strokes. It’s one form of self-care that feels good.

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Lorrie Craven

David, thank you for your article on Diabetes and Your Hands. Personally I thought that I was going crazy with joint pains in one hand one day and the next day it would be my other hand or perhaps my sholder or wrists. I even woke up two weeks ago with what you called “trigger finger” all I could do was stare at my hand with one finger bent and wonder how I did it and then POP it straightened out! My doctor had nothing to offer for advice and then three days later I find your timely article. Thanks again!

Marianne Schlosser

David- I cannot thank you enough for this article! I have recently been struggling carpal tunnel and then I was just diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder Syndrome in both shoulders. My doctor said it was surprising and I was struggling to understand how I could have caused this. While I exercise regularly, I am not a weight lifter and I don’t play sports- but I have had diabetes for 24 years. Thank you for the explanation and the treatment recommendations!

Linda Nelson

Hi David,
I have had diabetes for 25 years. I have had both adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) in both shoulders and the triggers finger in both hands. Surgery fixed the shoulder as well as physical therapy, but getting a cortisone shot in the worst finger helped it to quickly get better. The other one resolved on it’s own. I did a lot of the things you suggested and it did help also. These problems while not life threatening do cause limits to daily activities and the pain is not something that can be ignored. It was good to read and see the videos about these problems that diabetics can run into during their lives. Thanks for a great read.

Carol Scherler

Thank you for addressing this issue. I would be interested in your comments concerning hip, knee, and ankle joints. Are these affected in the same way as the upper body joints? I was particularly interested in your comments on the ligaments and tendons. Is it possible for ligaments and tendons to become weakened and thus allow for unprotected movement in the joints? I have been wondering particularly regarding the knee joint for some time. My Dr. doesn’t seem to have an answer.

Thank you!

Rose

Many thinks for this wonderful information. it give me a sense that i can help or ease some of my joint problems. Rose

Jaci

I have had Type 1 for 39 years. I’ve had 2 carpal tunnel surguries and 10 trigger finger surguries. I figured that my diabetes had something to do with it after the 3rd or 4th finger. My orthopedic doctor didn’t think so until after the 6th finger.

David Spero RN

I couldn’t find any reports of diabetes-related hip problems. Knees, maybe. Feet definitely, and I’ll be writing about that in the future.

In general, the stiffening of tendons and ligaments that seems to cause the shoulder and hand problems may not be as much of a problem in the hips and knees, maybe because there is more space or the movements aren’t as complicated.

Loosening and weakening of tendons/ligaments does contribute to knee pain, but whether diabetes is involved, I don’t know. I have that problem myself.

Donna

I’ve had two frozen shoulders (not at the same time) plus carpal tunnel. All of this happened before I was diagnosed as Type II.

George

I use Dr. Franks spray and it does a good job on trigger finger and other joint problems

John_C

“Improve blood glucose control”
I would move that to the top of the list!

Way back when both my shoulders were quite frozen (like in locked) so I couldn’t sleep on my side. I don’t like sleeping on my back (besides I snore that way and my wife has to beat me in the middle of the night

After I saw the light (actually lots of study) and tried to bring my blood sugar readings as close to normal as possible, that pretty much disappeared after a few months… as well as a whole bunch of other problems.

That’s the short version of a long story…

myra

I can categorically say that while adhesive capsulitis is most common in the shoulders, it is also found (rarely) in the capsule of the hip joint. (As for me -2nd time hip, 2 frozen shoulders with 3 surgeries, and a bonus surgery for trigger finger and DeQuervains tendonitis of the thumb. I can’t even count the number of cortisone injections!!! It is also confirmed in medical literature that persons with diabetes have much worse outcomes from surgeries for adhesive capsulitis. While non-diabetics often see resolution of the problem in 1-2 years with or without treatment, less than 40% of diabetics see resolution. (Damned if you have surgery and damned if you don’t).

maria camila

well thanks david for your info look i feell alot and alot that i have diabets but no one belive me and i sometimes get blure vizion and for some reason my hand hurtss alot alot and like 2 of my finger turn really red but then when i dont eat i doesent turn red but i also have to go to the bathroom more then i usualy do and i get really ichy and i sometimes dont feel my feet but i want to know more or something else about diabetes so i can also proff to my aunt i can mabe have a chance that i have it THANK YOU

ernest pacheco

I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2010. Prior to that i used to run a lot and also engaged in boxing…About 6 mos ago, i noticed that my back was hurting more than usual and for some reason i just did not have the same flexibility as before? Long story short, went to the doctor and he said that my diabetes was the cause of my stiffness. He mentioned something like glycosulated or something to that effect…Statred stretching more despite the pain and have noticed a greater range of motion. Am not totally back to before, but i feel better now.

Mary Jo

Why or when is surgery needed ofr trigger finger?

Marha

Get real. Stretch and pull? I am not into MORE PAIN.

Rajani

David

Thank you for your column.It is reassuring, especially when my doctor gives me a bemused look, every time I report a new problem.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for the past 8 years – but have brought my sugar levels under reasonable control, with an HbAiC of 6.5-6.8%.

For the past eight months, I have severe pain iat the base of my thumb and the base of palm ( above the wrist – on the little finger side)- is this what you mean when you refer to pain in the hands ?

Also,for the past 3 months or so, I have severe itching in both palms – I am unable to isolate a trigger, which subsides in 20-30 min – have you heard of anyone else with this problem ?

Thank you
Rajani

Unni

Dear sir,
I need Home remedies on my Left hand Pain
I am 28 years old and Looking for your suggestions
its pain me allot while i am doing work in office
I don’t stretch or lift heavy but still it pain allot
please suggest Home remedies on it

I am taking my Diabetes Medicines on time and food also but this pain doesn’t leaving me.

Hope you understand my pain
looking for your help and suggestions

Thanking you

Regards,
Unni
India

Georgia

I stumbled upon this article as I researched wrist pain and diabetes. Ive had 8 trigger finger release surgeries and both carpel tunnel surgeries…now I am experiencing pain on the outer side of both wrists especially at night. The pain wakes me up…I just had both carpel tunnel surgeries done this year so Im dumbfounded as to what this new pain could be???

lauren

I have been diabetic for 17 years which has been reasonably well controlled. For about a year now I have suffered from a weak left wrist (on the outside, where the bone is) which burns, cracks & wakes me up at night with limited movement & pain. I also suffer from painful 3rd & 4th fingers on my right hand. I attended my GP who diagnosed tendinitis & referred me to physio without any improvement. I am now waiting to see a hand specialist. No one has mentioned that diabetes could be the cause. From what u describe I think it may be tendinitis! As the symptoms are very similar to mine..

betty jo

Ive had booth hands done carpal tunnel surgery done and a trigger thumb release as ive been diabetic for 14 years plus also ive had booth nerve release done on my elbows due to my diabetes im getting frustrated i get one thing resolved up pops another problem!!!

shashidhar

dear sir,

Actual my mother is a diabetic past from 8 yrs, and from 8 months she is saying that pain in left shoulders we went to physiotherapy treatment for 15 days, the pain was relaxed for few days only but the pain is back she can’t sleep either, as per advice she doing the exercises but it is no use of it but my question is that why still their no permanent cure are any medicine for this frozen shoulders if their any treatment pls suggest me sir,

Steve Smith

I was diagnosed 6 months ago. My A1C is now back down to 5.3 on 250 Metformin and light diet change with excercise. I had frozen shoulder 2 weeks ago, but my right side is where all the pains are. Sciatica, numb legs, really sore fingers and when shoulder pain my fingers on the right side start to tingle. Nothing major has changed in meds, diet exercise except Metformin. Couldn’t take a full one because cramps. Now all thPain and numbness jumping from place to place to place on my right side is driving me up a wall.

vivek

dear sir
I am sugar patient my age 55 year,
after month my sugar is normal
but my left hand pain have not relief ,
please help me and give me suggestion thank

regard
vivek sharma

peter

I have type 2 diebetes and have had it under control with metformin but have recently had pain and tingling in my fingers peticularly under my nails is there anything I can do for this and is it linked to my diebetes

Samir

Yes, I had the same thing. It is neuropathy. You need to talk to your doctor to determine the cause before you have permanent nerve damage.

Emma

Hubby is type 2 on metformin 500mg twice a day & lantus solostar long acting insulin,, he does manual work as he is a welder, using a grinder & other hand tools,, he gets cramps in his hands & sometimes tingleing,, any advise please

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